Inclusion starts with friendship

My name is Shell and I am a caregiver in Creston, B.C. I have been supporting Janeen for almost 20 years now. Travis moved in with us over two years ago. Travis’s parents gave consent on his behalf to have this story and photograph submitted. Janeen gives her own consent and was very happy to have me share it.

This is a story about friendship. Travis and Janeen are best friends. Travis is a man of few words. Janeen is hard of hearing and this has limited her opportunity for meaningful conversations, until she met Travis.

“The immediate spark between Travis and Janeen has grown into a beautiful brother and sister bond, a very lasting and special friendship.”

They clicked at first sight. Janeen was instantly thrilled to find the “little brother” she always wanted. Travis calls her “Nina” and although she is like an overly protective sister he never had in his life, he blossomed under her “mother hen” personality. Janeen took it upon herself to try to teach sign language to Travis and now they have their own unique way of communicating. She says that Travis is the only person that listens to her.

Travis and Janeen have a unique and special bond. They enjoy picking berries, playing music, dancing, and swinging under the Linden tree. Together they care for the cats and watch the birds. Travis likes “watching Janeen watching TV” and he claps and laughs out loud whenever she laughs. Their favorite thing to do together is picnic in the park. Janeen has struggled whenever it comes to sharing treats, but since Travis is in her life, she has become generous and makes sure he gets his fair share. Whenever they are apart, each one speaks of the other in a worried tone. When they reunite, they quickly head bump, link arms and take off, Janeen chatting merrily and Travis giggling and whispering in her ear.

The immediate spark between Travis and Janeen has grown into a beautiful brother and sister bond, a very lasting and special friendship.

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